On this Holy Saturday, our hearts are filled with many thoughts, prayers, and anxiety about the future.
Lent began without Mass, no ashes on Ash Wednesday. We expected to begin several times with a date, only to be told the quarantine would be extended; finally, extended without a date.
Lent was without the liturgy but with the opportunity to internalize it in a way never imagined. Many are those that found it difficult: families who have lost a loved one, the sick and those filled with anxiety and not least of all, those prepared for baptism at the Easter Vigil.
We are all trying to live the Paschal Mystery. The catechumens and all of us are desiring to make this movement from one way of life to another—a Passover. This is the Paschal Mystery that is so important in our lives as Christians. Is it not the pivotal mystery of Christian life?
During Lent, the readings for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays give the catechumen and all Christians the message of the Scrutinies. These are the readings for the liturgical A year.
In the first of the readings, the Church is asking the persons to be baptized if they have personally encountered Jesus in their preparation. The Samaritan woman meeting Jesus changed her whole life in a very dramatic way and the Church is hoping this will happen to the newly-baptized. It was a meeting that the woman never imagined was possible, changed her thinking, way of life and the lives of those she had difficulty living with.
The second reading on the 4th week is the blind man. The church wants us to accept the fact that we are spiritually blind, deaf and dumb but don't realize it. The blind man in the reading knew of his handicap and desired a change. The catechumens during their months of study should come to a realization of this reality and have a strong desire to be healed. Spiritual blindness is a more serious handicap than physical blindness, but not easily comprehended.
On the third Sunday, we have the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Life is much more than just breathing and moving and doing our daily tasks. We hear often that many go through life never having lived. God is calling us to come out of the tombs we have made for ourselves, and in the reading, it was not Jesus that freed Lazarus to move, but the community was asked to "unbind him, let him go free." We need others to grow and begin to live.
Lent ends with the beginning of Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper and the start of the Holy Triduum— Holy Thursday, Good Friday the Easter Vigil/ Easter Sunday. They are three days but can be considered one day in which we meditate on the Paschal Mystery and the way we should be living it. The Passover from death to life. This year, many, will miss the liturgical representation of the "Passover" but hopefully, it will still mean a 'pass over' to a new life—a gift—ready to receive with outstretched hands.
Jesus gave us the ultimate paradox when he said we have to lose our lives to save them. This sounds crazy, doesn't make sense, counter-intuitive and yet it is the lesson that Christ has given us and we try to experience during these days of Triduum and live daily.
The Coronavirus has entered the lives of most of the world; as Christians, we try to make sense of what it teaches us about life and help us to change the way we think and act.
A Blessed Easter.
Corona19 is now the biggest crisis and trial facing humanity. Writing in the Catholic Peace Weekly a college professor tells the readers he feels trials come with gifts. So he is curious. What will humanity gain through this severe Corona trial?
He introduces the readers to an article by Yuval Harari, the author of Sapiens, in the Financial Times, suggesting the gift that humanity will receive through the Corona 19. His message, according to the professor will teach us that we are a world community. Will it be the road of disunity or global solidarity?
We can choose surveillance and control symbolized by 'Big Brother', or a democratic society that respects individual freedom— autonomy, to pursue only national interests or global solidarity for win-win cooperation. What should we choose?
There may be a movement to move toward a more tightly controlled society for the sake of public health. If big data and artificial intelligence are added to information and communication technology, it will be possible to build a surveillance system that routinely looks into people's health. Temptation only for self-interest is great. The United States, which has been proud of its role as a global leader, has long since abandoned its role since Trump. In a crisis like Corona, how many countries are struggling to block their borders and protect their people.
The Republic of Korea is a very rare case. It took a democratic way of respecting citizens' autonomy rather than state control and maintained thorough immigration measures instead of blocking borders. It did not block the borders, even in the areas where the infectious disease was exploding, and there was no hoarding overcome by anxiety and fear.
The world evaluates and follows the remarkable achievements of the nation's disaster response system based on three pillars of openness, transparency, and democracy, with outstanding medical technology, creative ideas, public-private commitment, and public participation.
Corona19 is an on the spot experiment on community. What is a community? Is it like a military force, without freedom, all in perfect order? No. Community respects diversity and the voluntary will of the members, and harmony is found despite conflicting interests. In the face of the crisis, reality is revealed.
If we are able to have trust, unity, solidarity, and openness instead of choosing disbelief, division, and closure in the face of the crisis, it will be a step toward a true community. It's not a faraway dream, but our story since the corona crisis.
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In the recent issue of the Catholic Peace Weekly, a special feature was a report on a panel discussing the causes of the Corona 19 new infections. The entire world seems helpless facing the spreading of Corona19. Even before Corona 19, new viruses such as SARS, H1N1, and MERS continued to appear. The cause of corona19 has not been clarified to date, but most of the causes of new viruses are related to wild animals. But experts say that the more fundamental cause is climate change. The climate change brought about by human indiscriminate development and destruction of the ecological environment is the cause of new infectious diseases including Corona19.
In this regard, Catholic Peace Broadcasting prepared a special talk for Corona 19 and listened to experts talking on the theme of "Natural Counterattack, Virus." Corona 19 is also said to be more serious than World War II. How to see the current situation. Not only health and life but also political, social and economic fields are affected. The biggest problem is the unpredictability. It is a factor that causes fear and anxiety. It is difficult for experts to predict how long the Corona 19 will last.
Many scientists and experts find the root cause of infectious diseases in climate change.
Participant K, said that we need to distinguish between climate and weather. The weather is changing day by day. The climate is a long-term change— for more than 30 years. From the 19th to the 20th centuries, the average global temperature rose by about 1 ° C for about 100 years. In the past 10,000 years, the Earth's temperature has never changed above 1 ° C. Therefore, it is now called a climate crisis or a climate emergency rather than climate change. Furthermore, climate collapse is being discussed.
Presider: How is the climate crisis fundamentally related to infectious diseases?
Participant K: All the energy we use is fossil fuels. Electricity is created from oil, coal, and gas, and daily life is maintained. However, fossil fuels will dry up. There are limits to their continued use. As a result, humans are going deeper into these natural preserves invading more and more the life of animals and plants. If you continue to invade nature like this, you have no choice but to have a virus. I know it's an uncomfortable truth, but it's not easy to come out and say it. Because we have to face a shift in our civilization in the way we live.
Participant S: The decline in wildlife habitat due to climate change is a serious problem. Wetlands are disappearing and desertification is progressing due to climate change and warming. Coastlines are eroding due to rising sea levels. As the carbon dioxide concentration in the ocean increases, the marine ecosystem is also changing. Habitat loss due to climate change is invisible, but it is a bigger problem than habitat loss caused by human development.
Presider: Habitats disappearing due to climate change are more problematic than development, please explain in more detail.
Participant S: It is difficult to express numerically how much habitat is lost due to climate change. In general, the decline in wildlife habitat depends on how much the forest in which the wildlife lives is damaged. Logging in the Amazon rainforest is random. It is said that the area of 400,000 to 500,000 soccer fields disappears in one year due to indiscriminate development. In particular, the forest fires that occurred in August last year damaged 30,000 km of the Amazon region. 4 million football fields have disappeared. Forest damage is serious worldwide, but if the invisible damage of climate change is added, the habitat loss will be unimaginable.
Presider: Climate change and wildlife habitat destruction seem to be very closely linked.
Participant L: You can think about it in three ways. The obvious fact of climate change is that the global temperature has risen. As the temperature rises, water temperature changes. There are many bacteria in river water, but when the water temperature increases, the bacteria also increase. Second, climate change increases extreme climatic phenomena such as drought and flooding. When floods occur, bacteria increase and are passed on to humans and are more likely to develop water-borne diseases. Third, viruses transmit infectious diseases to humans through mediators. Mosquitoes, ticks, birds, and wild animals are all vehicles. Birds and wild animals, such as bats, have had little chance of contacting humans. However, as the habitat was destroyed due to the destruction of forests, the chances of contact with people increased, and as a result, infectious diseases increased.
Presider: Humans and animals are different species. It seems that the virus in animals cannot easily pass into humans due to the interspecies barrier. Why does it become a common infection?
Participant L: There are still different opinions among scientists about where Corona 19 came from. Presumably, the virus originated from an animal and is believed to have been mutated. Animal viruses are no problem for animals. Even if it enters a person, it is not a problem if only one person is infected, but it is a problem when a mutation occurs and a person-to-person infection occurs.
Participant S: Microorganisms also change to adapt to the environment. Infection occurs when a mutated microorganism finds a new host and adapts to it. Cross-species barriers can be crossed through the process of mutation.
Presider: Do you think the common human/animal infectious diseases have increased compared to the past? I wonder if the human/animal infectious disease is more difficult to respond to than the general infectious disease.
Participant L: 60 ~ 75% of the new infectious diseases are known as human/animal infectious diseases. New infectious diseases such as SARS and MERS, which have recently become problems, were also human/animal infectious diseases. We don't know enough about these new infectious diseases and their treatments and vaccines.
Participant S: Compared to the common infectious diseases, human/animal infectious diseases are not more difficult to cope with. Human/animal infectious diseases are also virus-dependent. In some cases, it is not a problem even if a person is infected because of its weak pathogenicity. There are many types. Corona 19 is known to be very contagious, but relatively week pathogenic. The problem is that they are new and we do not know their characteristics. The biggest problem is the inability to treat or prevent them.
Presider: We are feeling the consequences of humans often selfish desires in damaging and destroying nature.
Participant K: Therefore, climate action emphasizes that we must change our lives through actions and not just talk to solve the climate problem. Scientists should be heard about climate issues. The Catholic Church has taught us to bring faith and reason, science and religious beliefs together. Scientists are urged to stop the global average temperature from rising by 1.5 ° C. Now, the global average temperature has risen by 1 ℃. We have to act now.
Participant S: Wildlife habitat will continue to be invaded by human development needs. Housing and commercial facilities were established, roads and railroads were opened, and the habitats of animals and plants were greatly reduced. As there is no place to live, wild animals are short of prey and come down to human habitat. In doing so, it hurts the farmland. On the way to new sanctuaries, they also collide with humans. This is the result of humans invading animal habitats. Protecting wildlife habitat is not just about protecting animals. It also protects human life and health by minimizing animal-to-human contact.
Presider: The more direct manifestation of human selfishness is in the culture of eating.
Participant L: The contact between animals and humans is gradually widening, and edible use of wild animals is also a major reason. In addition, excessive meat culture brought about by the factory-style livestock culture. The greater the number of human-to-animal contact with animals, the more likely it is that various problems will arise.
Participant S: The eating of wildlife is disappearing a lot because countries are implementing various policies. It is often found as unique food, or used as an unfounded traditional medicine. Some like to have the experience of eating some exotic wild animals as a meal. Others want trophies of some wild animals as ornaments: rhino horns, elephant ivory, and tiger skins.
Participant K: If you can't stop eating meat, you should discuss ways to reduce it. To get 1 kg of beef, you need 30 kg of beans and 30 kg of grain. Many chemical fertilizers are used to raise feed for cattle. Manure from cows is also a problem. It is necessary to consider how to develop the livestock industry in a natural way, rather than in a factory manner.
Presider: Overall, it seems that humans are being attacked by nature.
Participant S: There are many reasons why common infectious diseases continue to develop. It is the biggest cause of the indiscriminate access to nature and damage to the environment. Wild animals in the jungle and infectious diseases that existed only in those who lived there were exposed to the destruction of the environment. People who were not immune to such pathogens became infected and spread the virus, causing problems. Because of climate change, we will no doubt be exposed to more human/animal diseases. Migratory birds will have different destinations and will find different hosts for viruses. With global warming, we will have more of these human/animal viruses to deal with.
Recently in the news, reported on by the different media, was the pornographic chat rooms, in operation for some years but the one that has upset the nation is the 'Telegram nRoom'. The Presidential bulletin board from its inception, on this issue, has received the greatest number of petitions. They want something to be done: demanding the disclosure and punishment of all those involved.
A priest sociologist writing in the Catholic Times gives the readers some idea of what has upset many of the citizens. It is a distorted sex culture at the root of the problem. The conclusion is the need to stress the dignity of human beings, gender equality values and to improve laws and prevent a recurrence. There are various opinions about the root cause of this incident and the countermeasures against the recurrence. How should Christians look at these problems?
There have been serious problems with targeting women as sex objects, filming them and distributing the photos and films illegally online but with no improvement, no enactment of proper laws and concern for systems that allow this. Is it because most of the people who hold the key to real change, such as the National Assembly, the police, and the courts, are men who do not understand the fear, insults, and anger that women experience?
Eventually, this 'illegal photography' industry became more and more depraved due to the demands of consumers who wanted stimulating and perverted pornography, threatening even young teenage girls to become sex slaves and victims of sadistic sexual exploitation videos. It has evolved into something horrendous.
There are many chat rooms that distribute such sexual exploitation online for a fee. The highest level chat room, the 'Ph.D. room' is said to have an entrance fee of close to 1,250 dollars. What's shocking is 260,000 people have received a free video in addition to paid members, in about 60 similar types of chat rooms. Police estimate that there are about 2,000 transactions in paid membership for the 'Ph.D. room', and that there are about 60,000 people in distribution and possession.
One of the serious issues, that goes beyond simply using women's sex as a means of making money, is the approval by supposedly 'normal men' paying for sexual exploitation of women for their own pleasure. As a citizen of a civilized society, the proper response is anger with the crimes of sexual exploitation of minors and women and the desire to eradicate these illegal chat rooms. But why did so many men become accomplices in this ugly sex crime? Perhaps the root cause is Korea's distorted sex culture, which has grown from childhood in enjoying 'pornography' online, defaming women, and making women a tool for sexual play.
These crimes can only be repeated if no effort is made to actively change the distorted sex culture and internalized patriarchal values that make women an instrument of pleasure. Punishing the operators who committed the crime and the subscribers will not solve the problem. This crime will be repeated if there is no effort to actively change the distorted sex culture and the internalized patriarchal values that make women an instrument of pleasure without respecting women as equals. What are the specific alternatives?
First, education of values about human dignity and gender equality and proper sex education should be conducted in the home, school, church, and social community from childhood. Christianity teaches that men and women are equally dignified, made in the image of God and that men and women help each other to provide self-realization in mutual support. Society needs to help youth to experience through correct sex education that 'sex' of men and women is an expression of personality where life and love are revealed, and that temperance and pure love can be more full and happier than thoughtless pleasure.
The second is the improvement of laws and systems. Similar types of illegal filming of sexual encounters without permission, and their distribution as in the crimes of the 'Burning Sun Gate' [a 2019 sex scandal in Korea involving several celebrities and police officials] the punishment was light which made for public criticism. Sexual offenses targeting children and adolescents should be punished as felonies, and all possible institutional measures, such as preventing and monitoring these crimes and strengthening support for victims, should be organized to prevent their recurrence. He prays that the publicity of this event will be the driving force behind fundamental changes in human dignity and sexual values in our society.
"If you can keep your head when all about you/ Are losing theirs and blaming it on you... is the first line from the poem 'If' by Kipling that keeps returning in these times of anxiety when many are looking for answers, overcome with information not always helpful.
In the Peace Column of the Catholic Times, the writer gives us her thoughts on the issue. With the prolonged Corona 19 crisis, anxiety, and lethargy, depression, and stress are rapidly increasing. One of the reasons for this has been determined to be 'social distancing' in society.
This is a psychological infection that occurs when being alone increases. In a recent survey, the government's lack of credibility because of a failure to communicate wisely and the media's way of reporting the present situation was raised as problems. The level of discrimination and aversion towards the regions where the outbreak was the most serious was mentioned. Experts consistently point out that if you neglect the psychological defense efforts against Corona 19, a bigger problem may arise after the crisis.
As social concern becomes focused on Corona 19, interest in the vulnerable groups diminishes. Public parks, a resting place for the elderly, free food service for low-income families are closed due to concerns about the spread of the infection. Welfare facilities with vulnerable groups, complaints of mask shortages and lack of safety supplies and the like receive the same response: we don't know how long the situation will last.
In the midst of this, as the economic impact of Corona 19 becomes full-scale, the controversy over the introduction of "emergency disaster relief payments" has become a political issue. Although there are active discussions on how to save the economy and worries when the basic income is paid unconditionally.
In the general election season, (South Korea's 21st legislative election will be held on April 15) politicians are also criticized for being irresponsible in their strategies—seen only as a means to receive votes.
It's necessary to seriously consider whether the neglect of the injustices of the socio-economic situation is only a temporary measure or will continue after the crisis is over. The class affected by the economic downturn caused by the spread of the virus are the elderly, poor, disabled, migrant workers, the socially disadvantaged people.
Pope Francis emphasized that goodwill combined with strong responsibility and the cooperation of appropriate authorities in these difficult times, adds to the value that the world desperately needs.
Quarantine was seen as the best way to eradicate the virus. It seemed easy, but it gradually shrinks and paralyzes human life as a whole and leads to an abnormal state. Also, "social distance" can lead to indifference to people who need help, we need to keep in mind the harmful side effects of these methods.
As Corona 19 is spreading around the world, trusting and cooperating with medical staff and quarantine authorities is necessary. It is desirable for the government to respond sensitively to discrimination and hate, and for the media to report solutions and countermeasures. Politicians should put the experts ahead and retreat to build consensus and make policy. Only cooperation with others in the community can we build a "prevention fence" protecting us from the virus.
Suddenly everything changed. Anxiety, fear, a devasted economic condition, and life under all kinds of restrictions weighing heavy on the mind.
The eating of adzuki bean sherbert together from the same bowl is now like a dream; attending Mass with strangers, shoulder to shoulder; going to public performances with friends and traveling abroad is something that was done in a past life. Thus begins an article in the Eyes of the Believer of the Catholic Times.
Many realize that our everyday life is a miracle. Life in many cases was dry and monotonous but now seen with a grateful eye. Daily work, playing, eating, drinking, praying, studying, the virus has changed the way we approach these daily tasks. At first: Do I have to do this? Was the first response but quickly one gets used to the change. Life before corona 19 seemed unreal but seen with gratitude and longing.
The period of Lent, whether a Christian or not, because of corona we all had to travel through a harsh wilderness. After the experience, our lives will change. Schools will offer online lectures; people will find it easier to work from home; pay more attention to hygiene: washing our hands frequently, and concern with the care of the weak. We will be flexible in responding to situations rather than following a fixed practice. People in the past after plagues saw big changes. After the plague in the 15th century, the old authority and order collapsed, humanism emerged and continued into the Renaissance.
The season of Lent is the time to plow our fields, sow seeds with tears, and reflect. After such hardships, we will harvest the good fruit. Serious reflection, effort, and devotion of the people, shown during the pandemic will lead to fruits of social maturity.
We experienced this during the IMF period when citizens collected gold and again with the oil spill in Taein when so many gave of their time and energy to solve the problem. This is our collective legacy.
We have during this pandemic, people in one province taking the patients from one of the hardest-hit areas to their local facilities. Medical staff and citizens from other areas coming to the center of the infection to help. Companies giving of their facilities, and landlords cutting rents... The media showed us the humble, passionate, considerate work of many in society helping one another. This was mentioned in the international news: no panic, no rioting, no hatred, calmness, and tranquility perdured, and no stockpiling.
There have been some deficiencies, such as the initial response but we can't find fault with the efforts of the government. This is also the period of the 21st general election on April 15. The atmosphere because of the virus, electioneering was off center stage. The politicians' behavior, however, disgusted many of citizens more than the virus.
The people's dedication to their neighbors, their solidarity and cooperation are expected to have contributed to the collective legacy of the citizens, teaching us much. We will benefit from the virtue shown. "To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice" (Mark 12:33).
During the Joseon Dynasty, the average age of the successive kings was 47 years. Today longevity in Korea is in the top ranking of countries at 80 years.
A doctor writing in the Catholic Digest begins his article with the above information as an introduction to his ideas on how to live to be 125.
In the cell, are chromosomes a thread-like structure that contains a person's genes in the cell nucleus. They will determine much of our physical makeup.
As we get older the cells break down and we show our age. But in our bodies, we have Sirtium which produces proteins. When we live a harmonious habit like life the Sirtium produces more protein and repairs the damaged areas of the cell and extends longevity. The way to activate the Sirtium is to eat little.
We have scientists who say we have been programmed to live to 125, why is it that those who make it to 100 are so few? The doctor says we are not making use of what we have received. Does that mean that if we do all the right things we will live to a ripe old age? No, the doctor continues to show what is happening in the cell but advises against searching for the fountain of youth but rather how to live healthy, with meaning and a joyful heart.
What is the lifestyle of those who live in the areas of the world where longevity is common? On the Italian island of Sardinia, the Greek island of Ikaria, Okinawa, Costa Rica these and others are called the Blue Zone.
In Korea, we have areas of the country that are called the Blue Zone. In these areas, we see some common elements: people keep on activating both the body and spirit. Secondly, they use their bodies like tools so they don't need sports or gymnasiums to work out. Thirdly, they have a desire to learn, are positive and thankful. Fourth, they are close to family, friends and acquaintances and spirituality is important. Fifth, they consider retirement a death wish. Sixth, they have no particular medicines or foods only what is in their environment. Seventh, they rarely go to the hospital or pharmacy.
When it comes to their diet they eat without much deliberation, usually vegetarian but little. They eat little process and refined foods, all kinds of colored vegetables and fruits; they get their animal protein usually from fish and pork. Since the diet is mostly vegetables they get their B12 from fish and fermented foods. The animal protein comes from fish and pig meat.
Studies show that longevity is about 10 percent inherited. A long healthy life is not dependent on some medicine or lifestyle but harmonious activity joy and eating little.
In his experience in making the sick calls to the patients in the hospital, in his head, he hears the following refrain: "True long life is not its length but its health and joyful length."
